Cycling Question

[Welsh]

I have been recycling my 4gallon tank, for just over a week. I just tested the water and the readings are;

Ammonia - 8.0ppm
Nitrite - 5.0ppm
Nitrates - 160ppm

I used the same method as last time, a few prawns in a stocking and I have never had readings like this before! Plus the tank has all sorts of creepy bugs on the glass, including a lot of wriggly worms - which I assume are planaria? I would like to keep these under control and also bring the levels down so maybe a 50% water change but will this kill the cycle??

Thanks

 

[ejaramillo01]

Water changers don't kill the cycle if you treat the water with Prime or a similar product (de-chlorinator) before you re fill the tank.

Yes I think that it is a good idea to do a PWC, minimum 50%, you can do another 50% the day after also, depending on the new readings, but try to get to 2 to 3 ppm of ammonia....

 

[Welsh]

Ok thanks should I clean the filter media in some tank water, or leave that until the cycle is complete?

 

[tyspot1000]

Yeah, with ammonia and nitrite being that high, It could possibly stall the cycle. I would recommend doing a water change on it to get your levels a little lower.

 

[BigJim]

Leave the filter media alone and do a couple huge water changes.

The worms may be planaria, tubifex worms, nematodes, or something else. Chances are they're pretty harmless. I had all kinds of life in my 20L while fishless cycling it.

 

[jenatron]

You said you're using many shrimp? On a tank that small you should only need 1. That could explain the extremely high readings.